very good shoes."

We all laughed again: those shoes of Count Tolstoy's are always such an
infallible joke.

The Altrurian, however, was cocked and primed with another question; he
instantly exploded it: "But are all the working-men in America eager to
rise above their condition? Is there none willing to remain among the mass
because the rest could not rise with him, and from the hope of yet
bringing labor to honor?"

The banker answered: "I never heard of any. No, the American ideal is not
to change the conditions for all, but for each to rise above the rest if
he can."

"Do you think it is really so bad as that?" asked the minister, timidly.

The banker answered: "Bad? Do you call that bad? I thought it was very
good. But, good or bad, I don't think you'll find it deniable, if you
look into the facts. There may be working-men willing to remain so for
other working-men's sake, but I have never met any--perhaps because the
working-man never goes into society."

The unfailing question of the Altrurian broke the silence which ensued:
"Are there many of your working-men who are intelligent and agreeable--of
the type you mentioned a moment since?"

"Perhaps," said the banker, "I had better refer you to one of our friends
here, who has had a great deal more to do with them than I have. He is a
manufacturer, and he has had to do with all kinds of work-people."